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Metropolitan see Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Archdiocese of Bukavu

Bukavuen(sis)

Latin Church

Latin-rite metropolitan archdiocese in South Kivu, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Established as the Apostolic Vicariate of Kivu 26 December 1929 (later renamed Costermansville, then Bukavu) and elevated to a metropolitan archdiocese 10 November 1959, with suffragans Butembo-Beni, Goma, Kasongo, Kindu, and Uvira. Its cathedral is the Cathedrale Notre-Dame de la Paix in Bukavu.

On the map

Esri
The address the register holds for Cathedrale Notre-Dame de la Paix, Bukavu, in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

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Established
1929
Catholics
1,099,164
Priests
262
Territory
8,115 km²

Parishes and churches

41 listed churches in our records. Open a parish for Mass times, confession, directions and sources where recorded.

This is our recorded coverage, not an official diocesan parish count. Confirm service times with the parish before travelling.

The bishop

Archbishop
Francois-Xavier Maroy Rusengo
Born
1 September 1956
Birthplace
Bukavu

Explore the ministry of the bishop.

The cathedral

Cathedrale Notre-Dame de la Paix, Bukavu stands in Bukavu, the church that holds the cathedra from which this see takes its name.

On what a cathedral is, see the cathedral; every see church on earth is gathered at the cathedrals.

This see in the wire

Stories that name this see

The wire's resolver matched this see in the text of each story.

  • Catholic schoolchildren in Congo mourn 27 classmates killed in fire

    Catholic schoolchildren in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo, gathered with candles on Sept. 17 at Our Lady of Mercy Parish to mourn 27 classmates killed in a fire. The blaze, which occurred on Sept. 10, affected three areas of the city and devastated both homes and schools. The fires destroyed nearly 500 homes and left at least 2,000 people homeless. Most of the children who died attended Ujamaa and Furaha primary schools and participated in pastoral activities, including the children’s choir and groups such as Kizito, Anuarite, and the Angels of Heaven, according to Catholic communicator Benjamin Mukanire. During a memorial Mass, Father Patrice Mukata Bayongwa, the provincial coordinator of Catholic state-subsidized schools for the Archdiocese of Bukavu, encouraged students to maintain their faith and hope despite their grief. The 27 victims were buried on Sept. 14 at the Ruzizi Cemetery.

    Sep 23, 2026 · Life & Family · 8 sources

  • Catholic Archdiocese of Bukavu in DR Congo Mourns 27 Children Killed in Fire Disaster

    The Catholic Archdiocese of Bukavu is mourning 27 children who died in a fire on September 10 in the Cimpunda neighborhood of Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo. The fire destroyed two schools and hundreds of homes in the Kadutu municipality. Local reports indicate the children, consisting of 19 girls and eight boys, died while traveling to school. Students from Catholic schools affiliated with Our Lady of Mercy Parish held a memorial Mass on September 17 to honor the victims. Father Patrice Mukata Bayongwa, the diocesan and provincial coordinator for the archdiocese's Catholic schools, presided over the service. During the Mass, Father Mukata Bayongwa encouraged the community to maintain faith and hope despite the loss. The memorial included the lighting of candles before the altar in memory of the children. Father Mukata Bayongwa also asked the faithful to pray for protection for the residents of Bukavu, noting that the city has faced recurring fires. Students and teachers used the gathering to express solidarity with the families affected by the disaster.

    Sep 19, 2026 · Dioceses

Filed by our own wire from published sources. Read the wire.